Lighting

Lighting alone accounts for approximately 20% of the global consumption of electricity. In the EU lighting accounts for approximately 14% of electricity usage. 

Many energy-efficient lighting products and solutions are available today. Increased focus on research and development leads to new and improved technologies as well as methods for controlling lighting.

Applying energy efficiency within lighting requires either reducing electricity consumed by the light source and light fixtures - or shortening the length of time that the lights are switched on.

Reducing the length of time that lights are switched on, can be obtained via measurement and analysis, followed up by planning, monitoring and controlling. Tools or solutions could be photo cells, motion and occupancy sensors, dimmers and other lighting controls combined with changing people’s habits trough education and campaigns.

Reducing electricity consumed by the light source and light fixtures involves replacing bulbs or fixtures with technologically improved bulbs and fixtures that provide the same or greater amounts of light - but with a reduced electricity usage. For example by replacing incandescent light sources with Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFL) and LED lighting. Photovoltaic solar panels combined with LED-lighting are another way of effectively reducing electricity use.

Energy-efficient lighting can be applied in housing, from single-family houses to large residential buildings, in public buildings, shopping centres, airports, office and industrial buildings, in infrastructure, urban space etc.

Especially outdoor space has benefitted in recent years from research and development within solar power, LED-lights and battery technology. A combination of these solutions has led to energy effective and carbon reducing lighting solutions for urban space and recreational areas. Solar powered LED-lighting with battery backup for path lights, park lights and pedestrian lanes can be placed virtually anywhere – as they require no wiring for installation.